Summed up in a few words...
If there was ever a player whose potential was hampered by injury it would probably be Matty Hamshaw. A player to come through Wednesday's Youth Academy system, Hamshaw made his Owls debut at aged 18 in the 2000/01 season, Wednesday's first season after relegation from the Premier League, in a 1-0 away win at Grimsby Town.
Hamshaw promised better to come after two good seasons as a professional footballer but cruciate ligament damage effectively put Hamshaw's career on hold. He made just four first team starts in two seasons at Hillsborough, making regular comebacks only to be hit by injury again. He forced his way back into the side during Wednesday's successful 2004/05 promotion from League One, and played in both legs of the Semi-Final win over Brentford.
Further injury sustained in the 2nd Leg at Griffin Park ruled Hamshaw out of the final. That was to be his final game in the blue and white of Wednesday as just days after securing promotion Paul Sturrock told Hamshaw his contract would not be renewed.
Hamshaw was naturally gutted to be leaving Hillsborough after five years with the club. Former Owls player and manager Chris Turner wasted no time in snapping up the Rotherham born lad and taking him to League Two side Stockport County.
We were all sad to see Hamshaw, undoubtedly good enough to be playing at a higher level, leave Hillsborough but the player himself has not ruled out a return to Sheffield in the future. |
